“I’m in talks with a lawyer. If the audiometry test reveals that my ‘mild deafness’ will last forever, I will approach the consumer court.”

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Abhishek SharanMukesh Sharma, diagnosed with mild conductive deafness, says his doctor has warned he may go permanently deaf; may move court.

One of the five passengers, who suffered ear and nosebleeds last month after the crew of a Mumbai-Jaipur flight forgot to turn on the switch that controls cabin pressure, fears he may never fully regain his aural abilities.

Mukesh Sharma, a PhD research scholar at the University of Aveiro in Portugal, was diagnosed with “mild conductive deafness” during treatment at Nanavati hospital on September 20. The condition should ideally dissipate in 10 days, but Sharma says his doctor at government-run SMS Hospital in Jaipur have given a dim prognosis.

“I have been told that damaged muscles/tissues in cases like this do not heal easily and chances of a full recovery are negligible,” he says. “I was hoping that the condition would get resolved in a few weeks, but I have to now prepare for the long haul.”

Sharma says he was also told that advancing age would only worsen his condition.

Asked if his treating doctor had given this diagnosis in writing, he says, “No, he didn’t. But if a court asks for it, he can do so.”

The 31-year-old says his right ear in particular is more troubling. “It aches at times. I have been told that it still has blood clots. An audiometry test will have to be conducted, may be after Diwali.” The test ascertains a person’s ability to hear sounds.

Sharma says his condition has left him helpless. “As a research scholar, two things are key to my functioning-—talking and listening. How can I respond if I have problems with hearing?”

He says he has spent over Rs 10,000 on medical treatment, including expenses for travel from Ajmer, where he resides, to Jaipur. “The airline should have borne the expenditure as it was due to their negligence that I have lost my hearing.” Sharma claims he has updated the airline’s representatives about his condition.

Sharma may approach court to seek compensation from Jet. “I’m in talks with a lawyer. If the audiometry test reveals that my ‘mild deafness’ will last forever, I will approach the consumer court.”

Jet’s responseA Jet Airways spokesperson said all affected flyers were asked to share their medical reports with the airline to allow follow-ups on treatment and expenses.

“As the guest had not responded back to us on mail, our colleague dealing with the matter gave him a call and extended all support, and he was also asked to forward his medical documents to Jet Airways’ medical cell for review. The guest, however, stated that he would follow treatment with his doctors at Ajmer and would let us know. The guest apprised our guest relations team as recently as Monday that he is still under treatment; he has been informed once again to send his medical bills/treating doctors’ documents for review by the airline’s team, which is as per policy. He said he would forward the same to us soon (sic).”

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